42 x 42 x 42

I set myself a sewing challenge.

I call it the 42 x 42 x 42 challenge - let me explain.

The Madison, Wisconsin branch of Project Linus collects blankets and donates them to children in the hospital. A lot of the blankets are quilts and that’s what most people like to make. But they also need flannel NICU blankets. These blankets are so easy to make (more about that later) and are very cute and cuddly. Maybe they don’t get made because most quilters want to work with cotton quilting fabric?

Well, I’m not most quilters; I have boxes of flannel.

My collection grew because one of the first things I learned to make were flannel pajama pants and I was going to make many pairs for each of my three kids. I was also going to make tons of adorable stuffed animals out of flannel so they’d be extra soft and cuddly. And every time I went to the box store it had completely adorable flannel that seemed like it was always on sale for $2 a yard. How could I resist? Seriously?

So the challenge is to dive into that stash and make 42” x 42” NICU blankets. The other 42 has to do with my deadline. On December 29th, I turn 43. So my goal is to make 42 42” by 42” flannel NICU blankets while I am still 42 years old. (So maybe it’s the 42 x 42 x 42 x 42 challenge?) That makes my deadline to finish all of these blankets 11:59 p.m. on December 28th.

I have 12 weeks to complete my blankets.

This averages to 3.5 blankets per week.

I feel like this is realistic, even if it’s not easy. But running a half marathon wasn’t easy and I did that so...

But why did I challenge myself?

In addition to wanting to use a large chunk of my fabric stash:

• I want to do something worthwhile.
• I want to teach my children to give to and do for others.
• I want to teach my children some basic sewing skills (especially the boy).
• And most of all, I usually rise to a challenge (so this might actually happen).

I’ve told people about my goal (Facebook and Instagram announcement) and I‘m choosing to write about it (here) to keep myself accountable.

Now you know. And now it’s time for me to do this.

And if anyone wants to sew along or join me (in person or virtually) to make a blanket (fabric supplied by me) you are welcome. The more the merrier!

Wish me luck!